Diabetes decisions — 2012

The Veteran's original claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus type II and PTSD was denied due to lack of evidence showing exposure to herbicides or active duty in Vietnam. The decision is final as the Veteran did not appeal within one year.

The Veteran's death was caused by end stage heart disease, due to cardiomyopathy and coronary artery disease. Diabetes contributed significantly but did not cause the death. The service-connected conditions did not contribute substantially or materially to his death.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for type II diabetes mellitus, which he claims is due to herbicide exposure in Vietnam. The case has been remanded for additional development to verify the alleged exposure.

The Veteran's claims of increased ratings for diabetes mellitus and right eye diabetic retinopathy are being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's hypertension preceded his diabetes mellitus and was caused or aggravated by it. The claim is also remanded for an opinion on whether hypertension was caused or aggravated by PTSD.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the Veteran's employability due to his service-connected disabilities. The claim will be readjudicated on an extraschedular basis if warranted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining private treatment records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to address the service connection claims for hypertension and PTSD. Specifically, a VA examination will be conducted to determine if there is any relationship between the Veteran's hypertension and diabetes mellitus type II, as well as whether his PTSD can be related to in-service stressors.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for PTSD and diabetes mellitus were denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a higher rating during the periods specified.

The Board has determined that hypertension had its onset in service and is granted service connection. The claim of diabetes mellitus as secondary to hypertension remains pending.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional VA clinical records and an SOC on the issue of a higher rating for diabetes mellitus.

The Board granted an increased rating to 20 percent for diabetes mellitus effective February 8, 2008. Prior to this date, the Veteran's condition was rated at 10 percent.

The Veteran's LEMS was not service-connected, and his claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 based on VA's failure to timely diagnose and properly treat LEMS was also denied.

The Veteran's claim of entitlement to individual unemployability is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination and the provision of updated medical records.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including verification of herbicide exposure and obtaining outstanding treatment records.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and diabetes mellitus as there was no evidence of a current disability within the first post-service year, and the conditions did not arise during active duty.

The Board has granted service connection for left foot arthritic changes and exostoses, but denied the claims of service connection for diabetes mellitus type II and hepatitis C. The Veteran's claim for these conditions is remanded to issue a Statement of the Case.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus with microalbuminuria and nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy of both eyes is currently rated at 20 percent, which does not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation. The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of each upper extremity is currently rated at 10 percent, which also does not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.

The Board has dismissed the appeal for service connection for epilepsy due to withdrawal by the appellant. The claims for diabetes mellitus, back disability, allergies, hemorrhoids, and hepatitis C have been denied as there is no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and military service.

The Veteran's right-sided radiculopathy has been rated at 20 percent since July 26, 2004. The Board found that the condition more nearly approximates moderate incomplete paralysis of the sciatic nerve.